Trimmed down pack could make Raiders backs more dangerous

The Canberra Raiders' trimmed-down, more-mobile pack could have the flow-on effect of making their already lethal outside backs even more dangerous.

Raiders winger Michael Oldfield says a more up-tempo game plan can only help them get more opportunies out wide.

A trimmed down pack could help the Raiders outside backs like Michael Oldfield.Credit:Karleen Minney

The Raiders already boast one of the best attacks in the NRL, having finished in the top-three for points scored in each of the past four seasons.

They've lost a couple of their big boppers, Shannon Boyd and Junior Paulo, and will look to mobility rather than size as their forward pack's weapon in 2019.

They've brought in Englishmen John Bateman and Ryan Sutton, while they'll also look to youngsters like Emre Guler and Jack Murchie to begin to establish themselves at NRL level.

Oldfield felt a more mobile pack would lead to quicker play through the middle, which could in turn benefit the guys on the outside.

Their strike out wide is well known, with Jordan Rapana and Joey Leilua forming a potent pairing on the right edge, while Nick Cotric and Jarrod Croker are equally prolific on the left.

"What we've lost in punch we've gained in mobility. I'm excited to see how that plays out, the way we play," Oldfield said.

"More fast, upbeat footy, which will be exciting, especially for us backs. We like playing that off-the-cuff, flat-and-fast footy."

Rapana's currently recovering from a shoulder reconstruction after he dislocated it playing for New Zealand in last year's end-of-season Tests.

The NRL have cleared the way for the Raiders to get salary cap relief to help cover Rapana's loss, but they would have to sit the 29-year-old out for the opening 12 rounds even if he came back from injury early.

Oldfield said he wouldn't be surprised if that happened, given Rapana's track record with injuries, but he said the Green Machine wouldn't risk bringing him back too early.

At this stage, Oldfield is the likely to come onto the right wing alongside Leilua to cover for Rapana.

"I'm not going to say it's mine [the right wing], but I will be doing my best to make sure it's mine for the meantime," he said.

"It's one of those things in footy. No one wishes injuries on anyone, but it's one of those things that just happens.

"I just want to make sure I'm in the right position to fill that spot if need be."

Oldfield said the group had returned from their Christmas break in top shape, which they tested in a time-trial at Stromlo on Thursday.

He felt they were well ahead of their fitness levels compared with last year and have incorporated ball work into their training from the start.

The 28-year-old was excited by what that could translate into during the season.

"I feel like we're miles ahead of where we were last year. In saying that I don't want to put too much pressure on us this year," Oldfield said.

"But I do feel that we are miles ahead. We're fitter than we were last year and we've had a lot of ball under our belt already – our skill was pretty good from the start."

He said he's been training in a number of positions, including fullback.

Incumbent fullback Jack Wighton has similarly been mixing it up, having been linked with a potential move to five-eighth.

But Oldfield was expecting him to slot in at fullback.

"Him playing at six is very similar to him playing at fullback, it's just he's holding one edge as opposed to standing out the back," Oldfield said.

"He's one of those guys with a massive skill set so he loves showing that off. I think he can fit in anywhere to be honest, he's a class player."